Player News

Chicago Bears OG Matt Slauson (pectoral) expects to be medically cleared to take part in the Bears' offseason program which starts Monday, April 13. Slauson was on the Reserve/Injured list with a torn pectoral he suffered last season.

Updating a previous report, Chicago Bears OG Matt Slauson (pectoral) may have suffered a potentially serious pectoral injury in the Week 8 game against the New England Patriots, according to multiple sources. Slauson is scheduled for an MRI Monday, Oct. 27.

Updating a previous report, Chicago Bears OG Matt Slauson (ankle) walked with a limp after the Week 1 game against the Buffalo Bills Sunday, Sept. 7. He missed the entire second half due to an ankle injury, and said he will have an MRI Monday, Sept. 8.

Chicago Bears OG Kyle Long will be given the opportunity to win one of the starting guard jobs during training camp, but he will have to beat OG Matt Slauson or OG James Brown for a job. Long was not able to participate in offseason workouts because Oregon were still holding classes during that time.

Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler is happy to see the team's management made protecting their quarterback a priority after adding to the offensive line through free agency and with two draft picks. The team added OT Jermon Bushrod and OG Matt Slauson via free agency, and then picked OG Kyle Long with the 20th overall selection in the 2013 NFL Draft before selecting OT Jordan Mills in the fifth round. "(The coaching staff is) going to make sure everyone knows their assignments and we are protected," Cutler said in a radio interview.

Fantasy Tip: The additions should give Cutler more time to find open receivers, and should add to his statistics. As long as WR Brandon Marshall remains healthy, Cutler has a top-notch target to make him a low-end No. 1 QB, or solid No. 2 for those leagues which require two starters at the position.

Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman said Tuesday, April 16, that he believes OL Gabe Carimi is better suited to compete for a starting job at guard, not at right tackle. "(Carimi is) more a guard," Trestman said. "He is more of a guard. He was hurt all of last year, so we're going to focus in on him competing at the guard position with (Matt Slauson)."

Chicago Bears OG Matt Slauson said he can play either left guard or right guard for the team next season. "I have a lot of experience at both. If they put me on the right side, it'll take me a couple of practices to get that comfort level back," he said. "But I'll play wherever they want me to." Slauson started at left guard when he was with the New York Jets.

The New York Jets may not re-sign impending free-agent OG Matt Slauson or OG Brandon Moore this offseason. The team could be interested in bringing back Moore on a short-team deal but other teams likely will be willing to offer more.